Twitter
Advertisement

Airport connectivity: Experts moot five-route formula

Experts said five categorical routes can be worked out by the BEST with a proper frequency of services.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

It’s easier to suggest airport connectivity, but difficult for a city like Mumbai to give one when one actually sits down to planning and logistics, feel transport experts who have suggested a template for routes that can be worked out.

“Buses cannot give last mile connectivity like taxis and autorickshaws, but they can always give a point to point service and save time,” said Ashok Datar of the Mumbai Environment Social Network.

Experts said five categorical routes can be worked out by the BEST with a proper frequency of services.

“Since people travel in all directions, major routes that can be tried out are: one is for South Mumbai, one for Western suburbs, other for Eastern suburbs, one for Thane and other for Navi Mumbai,” Datar said, adding that “this covers Mumbai broadly and will at least offer easy connectivity to the areas where travellers want to go. The bus could either take the highways, SV Road or LBS Road”.

“All these routes would have a length of about 40 to 50km from the airport. During night, the round trip should be between 3 to 4 hours, including stoppage time at both ends,’’ he added.

However, he said there will be delays due to traffic as there are no dedicated lanes for these buses in Mumbai.

“We can account for the delay in timings and not wait for the dedicated lanes as these buses can be started as a pre-cursor to the BRTS,’’ Datar said.

“The BEST-NMMT-TMT group of public transport undertakings should be given priority to start these services and if not willing, then private operators could be approached,” he said.

He said the BEST has now over 300 AC buses and it can deploy them in an efficient and profitable manner.

Current AC buses run fewer kilometers, carry fewer passengers and don’t earn more revenue than ordinary buses per day.

The fares for AC buses and the investment in an AC bus are quite high as compared to an ordinary bus, he added.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement